In the late summer of 1274, King Edward has finally been anointed England’s ruler. His queen contemplates a pilgrimage in gratitude for their safe return from Outremer, a journey that will include a stay at Tyndal Priory.

Envoys are sent to confirm that everything will be suitable for the king’s wife, and Prioress Eleanor nervously awaits them, knowing that regal visits brIn the late summer of 1274, King Edward has finally been anointed England’s ruler. His queen contemplates a pilgrimage in gratitude for their safe return from Outremer, a journey that will include a stay at Tyndal Priory.

Envoys are sent to confirm that everything will be suitable for the king’s wife, and Prioress Eleanor nervously awaits them, knowing that regal visits bring expense along with honor. The cost is higher than anticipated, however, when Death arrives as the unexpected emissary. One of the courtiers is murdered near the hut where Brother Thomas now lives as a hermit. Each member of the party has reason to hate the dead man, including Crowner Ralf’s eldest brother, Sir Fulke; and the prioress’s nemesis, the man in black.

Soon Eleanor is embroiled in the dangerous world of power games, both secular and religious. Indeed, England’s future under a new king may offer hope and relief, but skeletons from the past can come back to life like those in the biblical valley of dry bones.......more

Kindle Edition, 245 pages

Published
May 25th 2011
by Poisoned Pen Press
(first published May 27th 2010)

Murder is the most terrible of crimes, even when the victim is a man universally disliked and feared by his contemporaries.

Echoing Eco's The Name of the Rose and Mistress of the Art of Death, Valley of the Dry Bones is a murder mystery set in a medieval monastery. I am not enough of a medievalist to know if her characters act in ways that would be consistent with courtiers and religious of the time, but within the context of the novel, they do not seem out of place. I like books of detecting thMurder is the most terrible of crimes, even when the victim is a man universally disliked and feared by his contemporaries.

Echoing Eco's The Name of the Rose and Mistress of the Art of Death, Valley of the Dry Bones is a murder mystery set in a medieval monastery. I am not enough of a medievalist to know if her characters act in ways that would be consistent with courtiers and religious of the time, but within the context of the novel, they do not seem out of place. I like books of detecting that do not rely on the flashy DNA and fingerprints science of today, making the solution of the crime an exercise of logic.

I was grateful that I read this book on my Kindle, because I frequently found recourse in the automatic dictionary ... Old English terms abound, but most can be understood through context, although a glossary might have helped.

The author's afterword provided some interesting historical details that rounded out the story....more

One of the things that draws me back to this historical mystery series and other series set in medieval times is reading about a time and place so different from our modern world. Royal generally provides a historically accurate and fascinating look into the slower-paced lives of her recurring characters, almost all religious serving at Tyndal Priory (some of the supporting characters, like Ralf the Crowner and Signy the innkeeper, are "civilians" from the nearby village). I especially admire PrOne of the things that draws me back to this historical mystery series and other series set in medieval times is reading about a time and place so different from our modern world. Royal generally provides a historically accurate and fascinating look into the slower-paced lives of her recurring characters, almost all religious serving at Tyndal Priory (some of the supporting characters, like Ralf the Crowner and Signy the innkeeper, are "civilians" from the nearby village). I especially admire Prioress Eleanor, whose youthful, slight appearance belies a sharp, logical mind and strong character. The plot in this entry, unlike the previous book in the series, "Chambers of Death", dragged to the point of almost causing me to doze off. I found myself losing patience with the plodding dialogue and multiple melodramas between Crowner Ralf and his brother Fulke; Eliduc, a creepy, rather oily visiting cleric and Prioress Eleanor, and the increasingly whiny, tortured, temporary hermit Brother Thomas and pretty much anyone he comes in contact with, that I finally started skimming toward the end.

Along with the snail's pace of the plotting, my second point of contention with this book was the clunky, awkward dialogue. As I said above I enjoy several medieval mystery series that are well-researched and well-written: Ellis Peters' classic Brother Cadfael, Margaret Frazer's Dame Frevisse and Sharan Newman's Catherine LeVandeur. All of these authors manage to entertain and inform with intriguing mysteries and favorite recurring characters, as Royal does, but they seem to do a better job writing authentic-sounding yet realistic dialogue. I've noticed it in past entries in this series, but it hasn't became a distraction for me until this book. I hope this author gets back on track in future and will look for the next book at the library, but will not automatically buy as I have in the past....more

Believe it or not, this was inspired by the author's learning of the medieval liturgical dramas, church attitudes, and the artistic enjoyment available from this form of drama. The book is short, under 200 pages and is a very effective 13th century mystery taking place in a remote priory dedicated as a hospital and semi-contemplative community. The effects of the Simon de Montfort rebellion still has not totally calmed down. Many hurts are still not too far under the surface and this visit is coBelieve it or not, this was inspired by the author's learning of the medieval liturgical dramas, church attitudes, and the artistic enjoyment available from this form of drama. The book is short, under 200 pages and is a very effective 13th century mystery taking place in a remote priory dedicated as a hospital and semi-contemplative community. The effects of the Simon de Montfort rebellion still has not totally calmed down. Many hurts are still not too far under the surface and this visit is connected to a pilgrimage with this type of healing in mind. Little I could put in here without adding a spoiler, and this, I do not wish to do. It's a well written book by an author of medieval mysteries. And the drama is there. The dialogue is good. I give it 3 stars rather than 4 only because personally for my own reaction there was a bit too much implied romance including with the prioress' secret feelings...just not my taste in the characterizations. But others likely might like this better....more

When it comes to murder mysteries, I come to it with certain expectations. One of these expectations is that the book will include a murder. When I'd read 70 pages without coming across a dead body or any whiff of blood, I was starting to wonder if this was the right book. Eventually the body did show up, but when the "murder" and "mystery" part of a "murder mystery" doesn't show up until page 74 in a 247 page book, well, you'll have to forgive me for finding the start slow enough I found myselfWhen it comes to murder mysteries, I come to it with certain expectations. One of these expectations is that the book will include a murder. When I'd read 70 pages without coming across a dead body or any whiff of blood, I was starting to wonder if this was the right book. Eventually the body did show up, but when the "murder" and "mystery" part of a "murder mystery" doesn't show up until page 74 in a 247 page book, well, you'll have to forgive me for finding the start slow enough I found myself setting it down a few times.

So what exactly was happening in that first 1/3 of the book? Well, there was the plot setup, and an introduction to all the major players. There are a lot of characters in Valley of Dry Bones, which is both good and bad. It does mean there are a number of suspects, making the mystery more difficult for the reader to solve. On the other hand, I often had trouble keeping the characters straight. A number of scenes were an exercise in "wait, who's that guy again?" Then again, this is the seventh book in the series, a fact I didn't realize until after I'd read the thing, and I imagine if I'd read the other books I'd have a much stronger grasp on who's who.

The details of the mystery are subtle and piece together slowly, which means I didn't have it worked out by the end of chapter three. After the slow start, the tension ramps up when suspicions start flying, and I was pleased when the author managed to keep me guessing until shortly before the answer was revealed. Then I was much less pleased, because the answer was revealed. Rather than letting the characters figure it out, there's a full confession, an abrupt conversation where all the crime details are explained, robbing the story of a natural denouement. After such a slow buildup, it felt rushed and unsatisfying, like the author suddenly realized her deadline had come up and she had to end this thing now or suffer the wrath of Cthulhu himself.

For all that, Royal did create a rich and convincing world, full of characters who were honestly interesting (when I could keep them straight). I'm especially intrigued by the inclusion of a gay priest who struggles with his sexual desires; he's aware the church he serves sees his desires as sinful, although he can't understand how love can be a sin. The politics of the world are complex and often subtle, and the relationships between the characters feel real and familiar. If you're in the mood for a complex medieval murder mystery, Priscilla Royal is a name to remember, although I'd recommend saving yourself some confusion and starting at the beginning of the series....more

On Royal, Sharon Kay Penman says: "Anyone who hasn't read Priscilla Royal's mysteries yet is in for a treat." I like treats and I hadn't read any of her books, so I decided to dig in one rainy afternoon. I had no problem getting into the novel at first even though I hadn't read the previous six books. The pace was slow but that felt appropriate given that life then was a little slower. Each chapter loosely followed a single character and so a good part of the book is devoted to simply setting thOn Royal, Sharon Kay Penman says: "Anyone who hasn't read Priscilla Royal's mysteries yet is in for a treat." I like treats and I hadn't read any of her books, so I decided to dig in one rainy afternoon. I had no problem getting into the novel at first even though I hadn't read the previous six books. The pace was slow but that felt appropriate given that life then was a little slower. Each chapter loosely followed a single character and so a good part of the book is devoted to simply setting the stage.

Even though this isn't a book laden with historical detail, I still felt a strong medieval flavor to the story. Small details about monastic life or courtly behavior appear in the narrative as well as references to real historic events. But one doesn't have to be familiar with medieval English history to enjoy the story; every historical reference is explained for the reader to understand the significance.

I made the mistake of reading the publisher's letter included with the review copy, which gave away a few plot elements I would have preferred to discover myself. Perhaps they were revealed in the sixth book but it felt a little anticlimactic.

In the end, the slow pace of the story just couldn't keep my interest and as I didn't have a relationship with any of the characters from the previous books, I had a hard time keeping everyone straight. I might go back and start the series and eventually return to this book because I did enjoy it for a while. But I realized it's been two weeks since I've come back to this one so I think it's time to move on....more

I liked this one better than Chamber's of Death, but still wonder if by the 7th book, my interest in the characters is waning. Maybe it is time for Ralf to have a story entirely to himself. Or Sister Ann. Or for the plots to have less to do with Eleanor's troubling attraction to Thomas.

I still love the history included in the books, especially Royal's Author's Notes and Bibliographic source material.

Priscilla Royal is one of my favorite mystery authors, and I have enjoyed this series very much. Therefore, it pains me to say that I think this book is the weakest of the series. As always, the writing is elegant and clear, and the historical background is well researched and conveyed seamlessly throughout the book. The most disappointing aspect of the book is the plot itself. The murder of a disliked nobleman starts off with promise (it helps that the victim is so disliked that there are numerPriscilla Royal is one of my favorite mystery authors, and I have enjoyed this series very much. Therefore, it pains me to say that I think this book is the weakest of the series. As always, the writing is elegant and clear, and the historical background is well researched and conveyed seamlessly throughout the book. The most disappointing aspect of the book is the plot itself. The murder of a disliked nobleman starts off with promise (it helps that the victim is so disliked that there are numerous suspects). However, the plot soon disintegrates, and the ending is flat and unconvincing.For those who are fans of the series, the characters are as well-drawn as always, and the book foreshadows future conflicts. But the book itself seems to be weighted down by the historical context. Rather than enlivening the mystery, the historical setting stifles it instead. I remain a fan of the series, but this is not its best work....more

A pilgrimage stays at Tyndal Priory. They are making sure it is fit for the new queen. Baron Otes, who is a disagreeable sort and not a very scrupulous man, is accompanying the pilgrimage. A murder takes place in the night and the body if found near a hermitage. The prioress, the sheriff, and the king's crowner are on the case. The dialog is somewhat old English with lots of old vocabulary. I found the book to be predictable and not very engaging. I did want to see what happened but it was not oA pilgrimage stays at Tyndal Priory. They are making sure it is fit for the new queen. Baron Otes, who is a disagreeable sort and not a very scrupulous man, is accompanying the pilgrimage. A murder takes place in the night and the body if found near a hermitage. The prioress, the sheriff, and the king's crowner are on the case. The dialog is somewhat old English with lots of old vocabulary. I found the book to be predictable and not very engaging. I did want to see what happened but it was not one of my favorites....more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.I have read all the books in this series, and was disappointed in this one. It was flatter and more predictable than the others, the solution was given to the 'detectives' on a platter, and even the expected tension of the return visit of the Man in Black was tepid at best. This book was a long time coming-I hope it doesn't herald a decline in what was a strong series.

A religious, medieval mystery, I was excited to start reading it because I love the time period. I wasn't overly thrilled with much of this story. There were so many false clues and speculations dropped that it was hard to tell where the plot was actually going at times. The characters were hard to open to, with the exception of the hermit, which I loved.

I really like books set in this time frame along with books about Royalty, but I'm not a huge fan of mystery, which this book was, along with the focused on religion and the slow pace. Unfortunately this book book didn't cut it for me. Regrettably I can only give it one star.

Very nice to reconnect with this series; I had read the first two or so but have missed quite a few. Now I'll have to go catch up--there are some very interesting relationships amongst the main characters and I'm curious to see how they've fared. Very enjoyable medieval mystery, with characters true to their times, but relevant to ours.

Abandoned. My pet peeves are "authentic" dialog and dialog driven narrative. Other readers may not mind. Could not like, understand, or want to read more of these characters. I felt as if I had ugly bits of them clinging to my clothes and in my hair, like mollases; just felt like a mess.

Normally I LOVE this series. But this one didn't do it for me. Oh I liked it...but it wasn't amazing. Still, if you want to read a good mystery series set in a medieval monestary (ha, ha) This series is pretty good!

I enjoyed this book with the Play of Daniel being performed & finally the introduction of Ralf's brother & some insight into the family. The crusades certainly took their toll as does war now - no winners.

Priscilla has a degree in world literature from San Francisco State University, where she discovered the beauty of medieval literature. She is a theater fan as well as reader of history, mysteries, and fiction of lesser violence. She lives in Northern California and belongs to the California Writers Club and Sisters in Crime.